sity--to
which only a passionate, repressed nature can give birth. And through
the year that passed after Pepe had gained his captaincy, and at the
same time Pancha's favor, Pedro's love had grown yet stronger and
deeper,--growing the more, perhaps, because it was so hopeless and so
deeply hid; but Pancha, whose very life was wrapped in Pepe's now, had
almost ceased to remember that such a person as this rueful captain of
the _contraresguardo_ lived.

Still another life-thread was interwoven with the life-threads of
these three. Dearest of Pancha's girl-friends was Chona,--for so was
shortened and softened her stately name, Ascencion,--daughter of a
_lenador_ whose _jacal_ was near by, and with whom her father had long
been on friendly terms.

A grand creature was this Chona, daughter of the _lenador_. The simple
folk among whom she lived called her "La Reina," and her majestic
beauty made her look indeed a queen. Yet was she not loved by those
among whom she lived. Her nature was as imperious as her beauty was
imperial, and, save only Pancha, there was none who called her friend.
Because of their very unlikeness, these two were drawn together.
Pancha had for Chona an enthusiastic devotion; and Chona graciously
accepted the homage rendered as her queenly right. In the past year,
though, since Pepe's triumphal visit to Monterey, a change had come
over Chona that was beyond the understanding of Pancha's simple,
loving heart. She no longer responded--even in the fitful fashion that
had been her wont--to Pancha's lovingness. She was moody; at times she
was even harsh. More than once Pancha, chancing to turn upon her
suddenly, had surprised in her eyes a look that seemed born of hate
itself. This change was grievous and strange to Pancha; but it
troubled her less than it would have done a year before. For now her
whole heart was bright with gladness in her love of Pepe, and with the
glad hope that his love was given her in return.

So, for Pancha at least, the time passed blithely on. Her mood
of compassion for Pedro was forgotten, and her loss of Chona's
friendship--if ever she had possessed it--caused her no great sorrow;
and all because her love for Pepe filled to overflowing her loving
heart.

* * * * *

This was the way that matters stood the next Easter, when Pepe again
came up to Monterey to take part in the blessed services of the
church, to see again his old father, and again to